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YouTube "restricted mode" hides LGBT content

Mar 21 2017

In YouTube's app settings, there's a note about the Restricted Mode option which says that "no filter is 100 percent accurate" and since it uses a number of signals including user-submitted flags, the platform may not be squarely to blame.

Unfortunately, though, a new restriction tactic put in place by the "Restriction Mode" is now censoring many, but not all, LGBTQ videos from being seen when Restriction Mode is active. Another Youtuber, Neon Fiona, posted a list of her videos and showed the difference between the ones that were blocked and the one that weren't.

'LGBTQ+ videos are available in restricted mode, but videos that discuss more sensitive issues may not be. YouTube says it regrets any confusion over the policy and says it's looking into concerns.

Restricted Mode is an opt-in feature that works kind of like Safe Search, attempting to automatically filter "objectionable" content from search results. Restricted Mode is available in all languages, but due to potential cultural sensitivities, the quality may vary.

A filtering mechanism on YouTube hides content that it deems "inappropriate", and it appears that pro-LGBT material falls under this category... "No matter "how innocent or unintentional the "hows" or 'whys" are, the effects can not be ignored", she said.

Even his clip commissioned for YouTube's.ProudToBe campaign, timed to last year's Pride Month, is now filtered out. Among the vloggers who registered their concerns were influencers Rowan Ellis and Tyler Oakley. NeonFiona, a United Kingdom -based YouTuber, points out that YouTube restricted her videos about bisexuality but didn't restrict the videos that talked about sex.

Videos which have been restricted on the Pride In London YouTube channel include performances from X Factor's Seann Miley Moore and that of the Pride In London talent victor 2016, Jack Feureisen.

Censored videos included "my YouTuber lesbian first crushes" and "gay girl interviews straight guy' were blocked". It praises the efforts of content creators to further the awareness of LGBTQ+ content on the platform.

McSwiggan, in a video response titled "This Video Is Too Gay for Kids", admitted some of his content was indeed intended for a mature audience.

Responding to questions about those two videos, a YouTube spokesman told NBC News via email Monday that "some videos that cover subjects like health, politics and sexuality may not appear for users and institutions" that choose to use Restricted Mode.